USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION
ON CERTAIN RESTRAINING SYSTEMS FOR TRANSPORT CONTAINERS,
COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND METHODS OF USING SAME

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of
certain restraining systems for transport containers, components thereof, and methods of using
same. The products at issue in this investigation are flexible load restraining strips and
associated tools used in the restraint of cargo within transport containers.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Matthew Bullock of McLean, VA, and Walnut
Industries, Inc., of Bensalem, PA, on November 24, 2009. Supplements to the complaint were
filed on December 9 and 11, 2009. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff
Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within
the United States after importation of certain restraining systems for transport containers and
components thereof that infringe patents and registered copyrights asserted by Bullock and
Walnut Industries, and by reason of false advertising and misrepresentation. The complainants
request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

The USITC has identified the following as the respondent in this investigation:

Qingdao Auront Industry & Trade Co., Ltd. of Shandong, China.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-696), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the
merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of
the USITC's six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary
hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section
337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time.
Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for
completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when
issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S.
Trade Representative within that 60-day period.